Can the red wire of the rear camera be left unconnected?
3 Answers
No. This red wire is the reverse signal wire, usually connected to the reverse light. After connection, when the reverse gear is engaged and the reverse light is on, the rear camera signal will be activated. At this time, you can clearly observe the situation behind the vehicle through the rearview camera on the reversing image. Below is some related information about the reversing camera: The reversing camera is also known as a parking assistance system, or reversing visual system, or vehicle monitoring system. English name: vehicle-backup-camera. This system is widely used in various large, medium, and small vehicles for reversing or driving safety assistance.
I've installed quite a few rearview cameras myself, and that red wire absolutely must be properly connected! It's the positive power supply line for the camera, which needs to be connected to the car's power source like the reverse light or ACC circuit. If you don't connect it, the camera simply won't activate, leaving the screen completely black with no assistance during reversing—wasting effort and increasing safety risks. During one of my DIY projects, a loose wire caused the image to flicker, and after hours of troubleshooting, I realized the issue was the red wire not being securely fastened. I recommend getting automotive wiring clips and a heat shrink tubing tool to ensure all wire ends are properly insulated, preventing shorts or disconnections. Also, check that your car battery voltage remains stable around 12V using a multimeter. While DIY can be fun, every step affects functional reliability—don't skip critical connections.
As a car owner, I understand the headache of dealing with various wires when installing a camera, but never skip the red wire. This wire is the power supply for the camera. If not connected, the device may completely malfunction or produce intermittent and unstable images, which is especially dangerous when reversing. A friend of mine once spent half a day troubleshooting due to a missed connection, only to find the issue was insufficient power supply. Before installation, identify the red wire as the positive pole, usually paired with the black negative wire. When locating the corresponding power point, such as the reverse light connector, ensure good contact. Accidentally reversing the connection or causing a short circuit may blow a fuse or even damage the battery. For safety, take the time to secure all connections and test the functionality before hitting the road.
